Ontario's History-Making Deal For Farmers

This week, the Ontario Government made history by becoming the first province in Canada to provide a tax credit for farmers who donate fruits and vegetables to local food banks. Beginning in January 2014, farmers in Ontario will receive a 25 per cent tax credit based on the fair market value of produce that they donate to local food banks and community meal programs.

This tax credit is groundbreaking for two reasons; the first of which being that farmers deserve, and need, a tax credit to help cover the costs of harvesting and transporting produce to food banks. Until this week, farmers donated thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables out of sheer generosity to our provincial food bank network. Secondly, by passing this tax credit, the Ontario Government has officially recognized food banks, and the necessary, important role that they play in providing nutrition and food security for thousands of people in this province each and every month.

Since the tax credit's inception three years ago, the Ontario Association of Food Banks has been working alongside MPP Bob Bailey (Sarnia-Lambton) to gain support on this initiative. This tax credit has been introduced to Queen's Park multiple times over these past few years by MPP Bailey, but despite all party support, it never passed due to timing issues. Thankfully this summer, Premier Wynne (also Minister of Agriculture and Food), began to champion the tax credit, and promised to bring it forward this fall at Queen's Park.

Regardless of how the tax credit came to fruition, it is important to note that no other province in Canada provides compensation for fresh food donations to hunger relief organizations. Outside of some grant opportunities, food banks in Ontario are not governmentally funded. That being said, food banks and meal programs provide an essential service by feeding 400,000 individuals each month in this province alone.

Food banks may not be a perfect solution to ending hunger, but as it stands now, there is no comprehensive, social policy alternative. We know that in Ontario, food banks are doing incredible and innovative things to ensure their communities are well-fed, and well supported. In the past few years, as an association, we have shifted our focus toward acquiring healthy, fresh foods. We are lucky that the province of Ontario has a strong agricultural community, that even before a tax credit, donates produce, and meats, and dairy product to local food banks on a consistent basis.

The Ontario Association of Food Banks would truly like to thank MPP Bob Bailey and the Government of Ontario for passing this tax credit for farmers who donate fruits and vegetables to food banks. It is a great start to recognizing the important role that hunger relief organizations and farmers play in providing communities across this province with healthy and balanced food. It is our hope, along with many members of the agricultural community, that this tax credit will continue to evolve and expand to include protein and dairy items, which are also desperately needed in the fridges and freezers of Ontario's food banks.

This week has undoubtedly been history making for food banks in Ontario, and the provincial government should certainly be applauded for their efforts on this tax credit. Now that hunger is officially on the provincial agenda, let's continue to work together and make stronger partnerships that are effective in bringing an end to hunger in Ontario.

By Erin Fotheringham, Membership and Operations Coordinator at the Ontario Association of Food Banks

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Best To Worst Poverty Rates In Canada

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Low-income population: 118,325
Population in private households for income status: 1,082,230

Low-income population: 101,235
Population in private households for income status: 867,090

Low-income population: 100,810
Population in private households for income status: 795,675

Low-income population: 24,035
Population in private households for income status: 189,740

Low-income population: 30,475
Population in private households for income status: 218,320

Low-income population: 72,590
Population in private households for income status: 502,595

Low-income population: 15,885
Population in private households for income status: 105,950

Low-income population: 57,980
Population in private households for income status: 384,335

Low-income population: 19,520
Population in private households for income status:189,740

Low-income population: 79,785
Population in private households for income status: 509,640

Low-income population: 108,125
Population in private households for income status: 649,995

Low-income population: 17,900
Population in private households for income status: 103,905

Low-income population: 9,495
Population in private households for income status: 55,150

Low-income population: 496,660
Population in private households for income status: 2,576,025

Low-income population: 6,665
Population in private households for income status: 33,310

Low-income population: 121,020
Population in private households for income status: 590,210

Low-income population: 15,715
Population in private households for income status: 76,025

Low-income population: 49,395
Population in private households for income status: 208,020

Low-income population: 425,380
Population in private households for income status: 1,612,640

Median Income For Women In Canada

The following data comes from Statistics Canada's 2011 National Household Survey.

Median income for men: $35,028
Average income for women: $29,775
Average income for men: $43,195

Median income for men: $30,961
Average income for women: $31,542
Average income for men: $40,965

Median income for men: $31,233
Average income for women: $37,015
Average income for men: $52,716

Median income for men: $32,887
Average income for women: $32,090
Average income for men: $44,800

Median income for men: $31,704
Average income for women: $35,618
Average income for men: $50,897

Median income for men: $35,666
Average income for women: $32,561
Average income for men: $45,725

Median income for men: $34,527
Average income for women: $32,306
Average income for men: $44,772

Median income for men: $35,042
Average income for women: $33,940
Average income for men: $48,258

Median income for men: $37,821
Average income for women: $32,830
Average income for men: $45,148

Median income for men: $35,776
Average income for women: $32,400
Average income for men: $44,342

Median income for men: $39,154
Average income for women: $33,398
Average income for men: $48,096

Median income for men: $36,117
Average income for women: $32,334
Average income for men: $43,858

Median income for men: $34,235
Average income for women: $33,792
Average income for men: $42,084

Median income for men: $40,913
Average income for women: $35,426
Average income for men: $52,018

Median income for men: $43,929
Average income for women: $37,100
Average income for men: $56,034

Median income for men: $45,781
Average income for women: $41,438
Average income for men: $68,928

Median income for men: $42,006
Average income for women: $38,488
Average income for men: $53,324

Median income for men: $46,513
Average income for women: $41,857
Average income for men: $58,318

Median income for men: $46,265
Average income for women: $45,636
Average income for men: $53,264

Median income for men: $66,153
Average income for women: $56,064
Average income for men: $73,225

Median income for men: $62,187
Average income for women: $63,456
Average income for men: $69,539

Highest-Paying Jobs That Don't Necessarily Need A Degree In Canada

Average salary $44,224.00

Average salary: $46,213.00

Yes, apparently they still have secretaries.
Average salary: $46,369.00

Average salary: $47,562.00

Average salary: $52,635.00
*Having some sort of certification in finance or business would likely help in this career, but isn't necessary.

Average salary: $53,017.00

Average salary: $54,048.00
*Though a degree isn't required, you may be at a disadvantage when searching for work as a recruiter against those with degrees in human resources.

Average salary: $54,279.00

Average salary: $56,640.00

Average salary: $58,033.00
*As with recruiters, you my be at a disadvantage in this field against those with a human resources degree.

Average salary: $62,526.00

Average salary: $81,349.00
*Adzuna explains: For some electrical engineering jobs, a degree is required, and for others it isn't — there are alternative professional qualifications.